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Mulling to a Happily Ever After

Published:Friday | April 6, 2018 | 12:00 AMLatara Boodie
Garfield Mullings' and Borzana Jones' wedding.
Garfield Mullings' and Borzana Jones' wedding.
Garfield Mullings' and Borzana Jones' wedding.
Garfield Mullings' and Borzana Jones' wedding.
Garfield Mullings' and Borzana Jones' wedding.
Garfield Mullings' and Borzana Jones' wedding.
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I have found the one whom my soul loves, Song of Solomon 3:4 aptly describes the union between Gary Mullings and Boranza Jones, who exchanged vows on March 3, 2018 on the lawns of Bellefield Great House, one of the oldest sugar plantations of Jamaica, located in the hills of Montego Bay.

Love, at first sight, was not the case when the two encountered in April 2014 at a mutual friend's house in Mandeville, Manchester. "We did not get the chance to speak to each other at the time," said Mullings. Faith has a strange way of bringing two people together at just the right place and time.

Whether it was destined to be or ordained by the time, Gary and Boranza reunited in the summer of 2014 in New York City.

"We don't believe in the concept of finding the one," explained Mullings. "What we do believe in are qualities that we like. Both of us make each other happy, we like to party, we don't drive each other too crazy and we are both into fitness. Those are four of the main qualities that bonded us," he continued.

Mullings surprised Jones on January 1, 2017 on their annual retreat to Couples Resort in Ocho Rios. "He left me at dinner with some random excuse. I had no idea he'd liaised with one of the waiters to go make our hotel room romantic for my surprise. When we got back to the room after the NYE's festivities, there was a bottle of champagne on ice on a table, surrounded by candles and rose petals surrounding the box containing the ring. He got down on one knee and popped the question," said the starry-eyed Jones as she recollected the moment.

The two agreed to an intimate, rustic wedding theme with a combination of fuschia, gold, and navy blue as their colour scheme. The decor was coordinated by As You Wish Events agency. The ceremony was officiated by Reverend Terrence Gordon. "He did an excellent job of making it sweet and spicy," said Jones.

As Mullings saw his bride-to-be walking up the aisle he admitted that he suffered from a series of heart palpitations as he watched her approach the altar. "More than a million things were running through my mind, such as, it felt surreal, I couldn't believe this was happening, saying 'wow, how pretty she looked in her wedding dress'; I could hear my heartbeat; feeling this would be one of the best days of my life," he said.

As the ceremony ended with the exchange of vows, rings and sealed with a promise-filled kiss; friends, family and well-wisher gathered to celebrate the union at the reception.

Cocktails were served by a water fountain followed by a tour of the great house which allowed guests to teleport back in time and appreciate a bit of Jamaican history. The most memorable part of their reception was the first dance and the numerous jests made by their MC. "The first dance felt romantic and magical. At one stage, the MC had me give her a safety pin. This was a statement of intent, she can never say I never gave her anything," laughed Mullings.

After the bridal party dance and several games, it was a night that will be forever etched in the hearts and minds of Mr and Mrs Mullings.

"The time we have together will not be spent, rather it will be investing time with each other. It also means having a best friend to count on at all times," explained the couple who is eager to see what awaits them on the rest of their journey together.

latara.boodie@gleanerjm.com